Why I Can't Stop Raving About Utopia of the Seas
By Anna Ward, Cruisebound Product Owner, Content
Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to check out Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. Dubbed the “World’s Biggest Preview Party,” this event kicked off what’s now known as the “World’s Biggest Weekend.” Utopia sails 3- and 4-night routes from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Since returning, I can’t stop raving to my team about Utopia, and now, I’m excited to share it with you!
As the second-largest ship in the Royal fleet, Utopia can host a staggering 5,668 guests and 2,290 crew members at full capacity. This Oasis-class mega-ship offers the perfect escape from our hectic lives: a short getaway aboard a floating resort packed with activities and leisure, providing a chance to quickly recharge. If you’re considering a brief retreat, here’s a glimpse of what you can expect on Royal’s latest marvel.
On This Page:
- Embarkation and First Impressions of Utopia of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas Entertainment
- Utopia of the Seas Casino Royale & Arcade
- Utopia of the Seas Vitality Spa
- Utopia of the Seas Dining
- Utopia of the Seas Bars
- Health and Safety on Utopia of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas Rooms & Suites
- Getting Around Utopia of the Seas
- Who Should Go?
Pre-Cruise & Embarkation
My sister and I flew into Orlando the day before embarkation and stayed at Cape Canaveral, near Utopia’s home port. Trust me, you’ll want to book a hotel as close to the port as possible. While many people opt to stay just a few miles away near the more lively Coco Beach (which is definitely worth a visit), being just a stone’s throw away from the cruise port made for a much smoother embarkation day.
Plus, the view of the ship from our room was spectacular! Even from our hotel a mile away, Utopia’s massive silhouette dominated the skyline, dwarfing all the other ships in port.
The World’s Biggest Weekend party kicked off the moment we stepped into the terminal. Live conga music filled the air as dancers in vibrant Carnival ensembles set a festive tone, getting cruisers into the groove. Both security and check-in were a breeze.
🛟 Here’s a tip: save your SeaPass to your phone for added ease!
The crowd funneled through the gangway and dispersed into the Royal Promenade–a lively, central hub lined with shops, eateries, bars, theaters and more. Everything appeared glitzy yet sleek–a design thread that carried itself throughout the entire ship.
Some standout features I noticed right away:
Ultimate Abyss
These two enormous purple slides were visible from our hotel room. If you’ve ever wanted to plunge 10 stories down the tallest dry slide at sea, now’s your chance! The adrenaline rush of speeding down these slides is unmatched.
AquaDome
The AquaDome was a massive undertaking when it debuted on Icon of the Seas, and on Utopia, it’s just as impressive. It’s innovatively designed to host everything from pop concerts to acrobatic water performances, but despite its grandeur, the AquaDome felt quite intimate. Thanks to its clever design and engineering, shows feel like a semi-private experience.
Pool Deck
Utopia’s pool deck is—like most things on this ship—gigantic. The waterpark is huge, featuring three twisting slides, a splash area, incredible views of the ocean, and adult-oriented pools for whichever vacation style you’re aiming for. With five pools and eight jacuzzis overall, the facilities never felt crowded, even though we were sharing space with thousands of fellow cruisers.
Aqua Dunes
Utopia’s mini-golf course, Aqua Dunes, did not disappoint. The course follows the whimsical story of an octopus on an undersea adventure, offering both challenging gameplay and breathtaking views of the ocean (especially at sunset!).
Entertainment
It sounds cliché, but there truly is something for everyone onboard Utopia. I had the option to see a dazzling ice skating show, test my Harry Potter knowledge at a trivia night, catch an acrobatic water performance, or enjoy live music at pop concerts and piano bars. The Latin bands and salsa classes at Bolero were zesty (even with my two left feet), and the tongue-in-cheek sets at the comedy show had me laughing out loud.
Families with kids would love the ship’s parade, and groups of any size will enjoy the family-friendly Sail Away parties. Those looking for more active—or creative ways to to walk off the delicious food offered on the ship—fun will find pickleball events and basketball tournaments, plus a gym, a variety of fitness classes, and a scenic running track fitted with motivational signage to get you through your next lap.
Casino Royale & Arcade
Utopia’s arcade was made to be equally fun for both kids and adults. The casino, of course, is only for adults, but felt like a lively arcade. It came to life in the evenings as an adult hangout, with slot machines, a bar lounging area, and tables where attendants could teach newbies the ropes of skilled table games. Utopia features both a smoking casino and a non-smoking casino.
Vitality Spa
Utopia’s spa facility and wellness services were incredible, albeit a little pricey. To offset that, guests can buy a pass to access the sauna, thermal showers, mud scrub packs, and heated loungers for the length of their trip. Vitality offers a dose of tranquility when you need a break from the ship’s excitement. I also noticed a hair salon and mani/pedi services, which I found pretty clever, considering I’d unnecessarily rushed to get “vacation-ready” hair and nails before the trip.
Dining
The dining experience on Utopia of the Seas fully exceeded my expectations. I found flavors that felt fresh, new, and creative and sampled cuisines from many different countries. Some highlights:
Utopia Station at Royal Railway
We couldn't miss the Royal Railway at Utopia Station, a new immersive dining experience where guests enjoy their meals from a classic train car as scenes of different destinations zoom past the “windows.” This intimate venue combines dinner and a show, with interactive theatrical moments featuring actors who enter the railcars throughout the meal. For a moment, I forgot where I was; even outside the railcars, we could feel the ground shaking as if standing at a train terminal.
The opening show, themed around the Wild West, is very kid-friendly with interactive performances and some mystery to keep you entertained. I had an excellent Pisco Sour, while kids could enjoy non-alcoholic sarsaparilla served up in a flask. I recommend trying the Fart & Dart Baked Beans (yes, you read that right) and the Old West Empanada Trio.
The concept is that the food and drink transport you into the show's world, with each show offering different themes. Future concepts will include the Silk Road, tracing Marco Polo's great expedition through cuisine and terrains, and a Polar Express journey to the North Pole this winter for Christmas enthusiasts.
Casual Dining
Sorrento’s Pizza in the Royal Promenade offered reliably good late-night eats (plus lunch and dinner). Quick stops like the French-inspired Café Promenade in Central Park and the new food-truck concept Spare Tire on the pool deck offered fast bites for busy cruisers. El Loco Fresh, near the Sports Deck, served tacos and other delicious, can’t-miss Tex-Mex dishes.
Staple Dining
The classic Windjammer buffet and the Main Dining Room served high-quality meals, featuring different destination themes each night. With a crew from every corner of the globe, Royal crafts authentic dishes from around the world. We enjoyed flavorful cuisine from New Orleans, India, and the Caribbean, and nothing disappointed. On “French Night,” my sister and I tried an excellent crème brûlée, plus an escargot dish that was better than one I had in Lyon, France.
Many specialty restaurants were booked for private events during the preview weekend, but what we ate elsewhere led us to believe that they would be exceptional. Utopia of the Seas offers a total of 21 dining venues.
Bars
Utopia’s range of bars matched the variety and quality of its dining options. The brand-new Pesky Parrot offers a lot of fun specialty drinks—be sure to try the Food & Beverage Director’s pride and joy, the Peanut Butter Piña Colada!
Returning Royal classics like the Schooner piano bar provided a more subdued and refined atmosphere. In the middle of the Royal Promenade, you’ll find the Rising Tide—a refined, contemporary bar that floats up several stories til it’s suspended in the air. Those brave enough to give it a go will enjoy a unique view of Central Park when the platform reaches the ship’s ceiling. For anyone counting, there are 23 bars on the ship to quench your thirst.
Health and Safety
Before we move away from the topic of food and drinks, here’s a quick note about health and safety: Royal takes it seriously. I’ll admit, I was nervous about getting on a ship with so many people. But Utopia provided hand washing stations at all the dining areas with plenty of room, sinks, and supplies. Greeters were stationed at entrances to remind us all to wash our hands.
Elsewhere, where there weren’t handwashing stations, there were sanitizer dispensers. Royal Caribbean minimized germ spreading as much as possible, and I managed to get through the whole weekend without getting even a little bit sick.
Cabins & Suites
My sister and I stayed in an Oceanview cabin with a picture window toward the front of the ship. It was much more spacious than I anticipated. We had ample closet and storage space, and more outlets than we needed. I found the bed comfortable and the bathroom roomier and sleeker than most cruise cabin bathrooms.
Since it was a preview weekend, we got to tour a few other types of cabins. The suites were absolutely incredible. The Ultimate Family Suite had a 2-story slide in the living room, and separate kids’ rooms with bunk beds and their own TVs. Virtual game boards provided an innovative way to keep kids of all ages entertained.
The Solarium Suites felt like an extension of a spa, designed with clean and natural elements that brought the sea indoors. Floor-to-ceiling windows–one of which opened with the push of a button to let in the fresh sea air–provided stunning ocean views. The suite also had its own private entrance to the adults-only solarium retreat and airy bistro.
We also viewed a spacious Accessible Junior Suite with thoughtful modifications in the bathroom, closet, and balcony intended to serve all of Royal’s clients. Other “Spacious” cabins were designed specifically for families or friend groups cruising together.
The Interior Stateroom with a Virtual Balcony featured an innovative digital ocean view that felt real. While I didn’t feel any motion sickness myself, I could feel the ship moving at times. Having a virtual window with lifelike movement could help prevent major discomfort for those who are prone to motion sickness, without the need to splurge for an Oceanview cabin.
Speaking of Utopia’s Oceanview staterooms, those with porthole-style windows were large and deep. I relished the thought of cozying up into one to read a book or watch the sunrise.
Getting Around
We weren’t on Utopia long enough to fully acquaint ourselves with its layout, but the ship was surprisingly navigable despite its massive size. Elevators at the front and back of the ship were surrounded by detailed, interactive maps that broke down each deck and its amenities. The elevators used a new, efficient calling system—simply select the deck you want from a screen, and it directs you to the appropriate elevator. Throughout the ship, digital maps and schedules helped us find our way to various activities and venues.
Who Should Go?
Utopia seemed perfectly tailored for millennials with or without families, though any generation will have a fantastic time aboard this floating paradise. Whether you bring your little ones along or prefer to avoid other people’s kids, you’ll find your own little slice of utopia onboard. The price point is higher than some other lines and ships, but the atmosphere was fun, service was attentive, and the overall quality was exceptional.
Experiencing everything Utopia has to offer in one vacation is nearly impossible. I would absolutely book a few more long weekends to explore its endless amenities at a relaxed pace. It’s a good thing we can book our next getaway with Cruisebound!